Tasting Notes:
Chura Time is a summer limited beer produced by Orion in cooperation with Asahi. While it has been released in years past, this is the first time I’ve come across it in the grocery store. Chura means something of “beauty” in Okinawan dialect, so what could be more beautiful than sipping a cold brew on the beach.

The first gulp starts out quite flavorful with malt and hop notes, quickly transitioning to a very metallic middle, then more malt on the back end. Unfortunately that metallic flavor never seems to go away while the maltiness fails to stick around for the remainder of the glass. On the bright side, the effervescence is quite nice and refreshing, and gives a nice thirst quenching feeling down the throat.

After a string of “craft style” brews from the Big Four, it’s a little strange going back to a new genre brew. While not something the beer snobs will enjoy, Orion’s Chura Time is actually a pretty solid brew for the price. It’s a very light new genre brew that you’ll have no problem pounding at the beach or your neighbor’s parking strip barbecue. With the hot Japanese summer ahead, feel free to stock up.